Cricket is a sport that is often passed down from generation to generation. There are many cricketers whose fathers, grandfathers, and brothers have also played the game at the professional level. However, there are also a number of cricketers whose family members have played other sports professionally.
Dinesh Karthik:
Karthik is a wicket-keeper batsman who has played for the Indian cricket team since 2004. His wife, Dipika Pallikal, is a professional squash player. Pallikal is one of the most successful squash players in India, having won a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and becoming the first Indian woman to break into the top 10 of the PSA world rankings.
Robin Uthappa:
Uthappa is a right-handed batsman who has played for the Indian cricket team since 2006. He is married to Sheethal Goutham, a former tennis player. Goutham began playing tennis at the age of nine and turned professional in 2000. She retired from the sport in 2013.
Mitchell Starc:
Starc is a left-arm fast bowler who has played for the Australian cricket team since 2010. His brother, Brandon Starc, is a professional Australian rules footballer. Brandon has played for the Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Chamika Karunaratne:
Karunaratne is a right-arm fast bowler who has played for the Sri Lankan cricket team since 2020. His brother, Wanidu Hasaranga, is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who plays as an all-rounder. Hasaranga has played for Sri Lanka in both Test and ODI cricket.
Shoaib Malik:
Malik is a right-handed batsman who has played for the Pakistani cricket team since 1999. He is married to Sania Mirza, a professional Indian tennis player. Mirza is one of the most successful tennis players in India, having won six Grand Slam doubles titles and reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 27.
Stuart Broad:
Broad’s father, Chris Broad, played professional cricket for Derbyshire and England. However, Stuart’s mother, Maureen Broad, was a professional hockey player. She represented England at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Michael Vaughan:
Vaughan’s father, Peter Vaughan, played professional cricket for Yorkshire. However, Michael’s brother, David Vaughan, was a professional rugby player. He represented England at the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
Imran Khan:
Khan was a legendary all-rounder who played for Pakistan for over two decades. His father, Ikramullah Khan, played professional cricket for Pakistan in the 1950s. However, Imran’s brother, Aamir Khan, was a professional squash player. He represented Pakistan at the 1986 and 1990 Commonwealth Games.
These are just a few examples of the many cricketers whose family members have played other sports professionally. It is a testament to the athleticism and skill of these athletes that they were able to excel at multiple sports. It is also a reminder that sport can be a great way to bring families together.
